Part 2 of the lost week.
The week began (and ended) with 40+
kids at camp. A crazy and energetic bunch that brought lots of things
they wanted and needed to talk about with us. The crew jumped right
into the schedule as if it was a great plan and that it was going to
be a wonderful thing. The only downside is that almost immediately
the rain began to play havok with the aforementioned schedule. We
quickly became good at trying to figure out how to fit activities
into smaller pieces of time and how to stay under cover so that the
incredible light and fire show in the sky would stay up there and not
come arcing down to earth via a human being.
The staff and kids remained upbeat
through the whole thing and right on schedule (I know! I kept
wondering what was going on too!) we gathered for worship and Bible
teaching. By the middle of the week all of the kids were beating most
of their counselors to chapel (and for a few it was a highlight of
camp!) I didn't make it to all of them... but every time that I did I
was blessed, encouraged, and exhorted to grow. It was a blessing to
be sure.
Sadly the water games that were one of
the highlights of planning and that I was quite looking forward to,
were rained out rather thoroughly, instead we played mission
impossible indoors and it went quite well. By the time thursday
rolled around I could honestly say that Whatever I had envisioned for
the week the routine wasn't that.
However I told the staff on the weekend
before that the goal was to “Love God and Love people” and in
that arena the week went incredibly well. I don't think any of the
kids went home without knowing that we cared about them, regardless
of behavior. It was a complete win in that arena.
Also we have a tradition of select
staff members giving their testimonies Mon-Wed nights at the campfire
and then giving the opportunity on Thursday for the campers to share
theirs if they feel so inclined. I was completely blown away...
Usually there are a few random stories by kids who are trying to put
together the moving parts of a testimony (kinda like a little kid
trying to figure out humor) and a few decent ones. But not this
week... this week they were all hard hitting and powerful accounts of
God working in their lives. It was humbling. And when it came time to
head to cabins... the rain just encouraged everyone to stay put.
Friday night I grilled some burgers for
those who remained at camp and it was a great pleasure to see
everyone sitting around enjoying good food and celebrating a job well
done. We also knocked off the rust and played a little bit of indoor
soccer which mostly involved greg and the mcneel boys running circles
around the rest of us... but a ton of fun anyway :)
I headed home for the week off... which
was a blur of lots of sleep, world cup games on TV, great
conversations and meals with mum, four-wheeling, shooting, seeing
dear friends, and eventually rolling back out to camp last night.
A few short hours from now we begin
staff training for a week of 3rd and 4th
graders! And I get the incredible privilege of being a counselor! I
can't wait! I'm still hoping to get short updates in semi-daily but
that's always a bit tough as a counselor so consider yourselves
warned.
3 short weeks left before I'm done at
camp for the year... and a few days after I'll be moving back into my
housing at Grace. So many blessings. If you took the time to read
this... know you are loved.
